Excessive daytime sleepiness in paediatric patients

​​​​​​​​​Emergency

If any of the following are suspected, please seek emergency medical advice or refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary):

  • Abnormal Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

  • Overdose of any substance including medication(s)

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days
  • Severe excessive daytime sleepiness with any occupational health or driving risks
    Note: if over 16 years of age, consider if referral to an adult sleep specialist is more appropriate

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness with new onset poor concentration and learning difficulties despite adequate nighttime sleep and impacting school attendance and activities of daily living

Note: refer to sleep recommendations by age​​for more information

  • Features of cataplexy, sleep paralysis or hallucinations

Note: cataplexy is defined as a sudden, brief loss of muscle control or tone triggered by strong emotions, such as laughter, excitement, surprise or anger

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral

  • Details of the presenting condition, including symptoms and their duration, and impact on activities of daily living and school attendance

  • Provisional diagnosis

  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:

    • Assessment of relevant contributory factors (such as psychosocial and environmental contributors)
    • Family history of narcolepsy and/or cataplexy
    • Presence of cataplexy, sleep paralysis and/or hypnagogic hallucinations
    • Medication history (including illicit drugs)
    • Occupation and driving status (if relevant)
    • Sleep history (including sleep scheduling and hygiene)

If available

  • Full blood count (FBC)
  • Iron studies (and concomitant C-reactive protein)
  • Paediatric Epworth or Paediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS)
  • Sleep diary
  • Thyroid function test

​Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.


 

Additional paediatric sleep medicine condition

Current as at: Thursday 10 September 2026
Contact page owner: System Purchasing